Mounting arrangement for paper supply roll



May 26, 1964 R. J. DEXTER MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR PAPER SUPPLY ROLL Filed Sept. 22, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Robert J. Dexter BY Attorneys y 1964 R. J. DEXTER 3,134,554

MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT F OR PAPER SUPPLY RQLL Filed Sept. 22, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

\ V Robert J. Dexaer Afforheys' V, I v

United States Patent 3,134,554 MOUNTING ARRANGED/TENT FOR PAPER SUPPLY RULL Robert 3. Dexter, 419 /2 9th St, Antioch, Qalif. Filed Sept. 22, 1961, Ser. No. 140,040 14 Claims. (Cl. 242-633) This invention relates generally to the mounting of a supply roll of sheet material and has particular reference to a mounting arrangement for a supply roll of paper. More particularly, this invention relates to a mounting arrangement for two or more adjacent supply rolls of sheet material, such arrangement being intended to insure that corresponding edges of the sheet material withdrawn from the supply rolls will be maintained in alignment with each other as the sheet webs are fed from the rolls into contact with each other. This invention has particular utility when employed in combination with a paper processing machine, for example, a paper towel making machine into which two or more paper webs are fed from two or more supply rolls rotatably mounted adjacent such machine.

\Vhile this invention has particular utility in the paper industry, especially in the manufacture of multi-ply paper hand towels and like folded articles, and while the invention hereinafter is described in relation to a towel manufacturing operation, it should be'understood that the invention has utility in other industries and fields in which sheet webs of various materials are fed from supply rolls into engagement with each other.

In the manufacture of multi-ply paper hand towels (two or more plies), problems have been encountered in maintaining proper alignment between the corresponding edges of the paper webs which are drawn from the supply rolls as the webs are fed into an automatic towel forming machine. Such problems may be attributed to various factors, including the cores on which the paper webs are wound being off center, askew, or otherwise faultily positioned relative to the webs wound thereon. Such a situation results in the supply rolls wobbling relative to a reference plane when the webs are withdrawn therefrom.

With small diameter supply rolls, the problem of misaligned paper web edges is not generally critical, in that the extent of roll wobbling is not pronounced. However, in the industry the present preference is to employ paper supply rolls of substantially large diameters and relatively narrow widths. Frequently, such supply rolls are sixty or more inches in diameter and of narrow width, for e ample, approximately ten inches. As a result, any wobbling or un-true rotation of such a large diameter supply roll results in pronounced lateral movement of the web withdrawn therefrom. Accordingly, difliculty has been encountered in precluding misaligrnent of corresponding edges of the webs which are employed to make up the towels.

Any such misalignment necessitates longitudinal trimming of the opposite web margins so that such opposite margins are properly aligned to provide neat, unifonnly dimensioned towels. Such trimming produces waste and unneeded additional expense in the towel manufacturing operation.

Accordingly, the subject invention has been designed to compensate for any tendency of a paper supply roll to wobble as the paper web is withdrawn therefrom and is fed into engagement with a similar paper web in a towel manufacturing or comparable operation.

The subject invention relates to means for mounting a supply roll which compensates for faulty or askew mounting cores and the like so that any tendency of the supply roll to wobble relative to a reference plane will be compensated for by the mechanism of the mounting arrangement. As a result, the web may be withdrawn from the supply roll in uniform fashion without lateral movement relative to a reference plane.

Accordingly, objects of the invention include the provision of a mounting arrangement for a supply roll by means of which an edge of the web withdrawn may be maintained uniformly located relative to a reference plane; the provision of a mounting arrangement for a pair of supply rolls whereby corresponding edges of two webs may be maintained in alignment as the same are fed into engagement with each other; the provision of means in a roll mounting arrangement for compensating for the tendency of the supply roll to wobble relative to a reference plane as the roll rotates about the axis of a supporting shaft; and the provision of mechanism in a supply roll mounting arrangement for mounting a supply roll for limited universal type floating movement relative to a supporting shaft. These and other objects will become evident from the following specification in which reference is directed to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of two paper supply rolls mounted adjacent each other from which paper webs are withdrawn in alignment with each other as the same are fed into a towel making machine or the like;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational View of a backstand mounting base and frame of the subject invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational, partially cut away view of the subject backstand frame and base;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale of the mounting mechanism of the paper roll mounting arrangement.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the eccentric pressure means of the mounting mechanism of the mounting arrangement.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a pair of paper supply rolls 1 are shown in pantom lines from each of which a relatively narrow continuous paper web 2 is withdrawn in any suitable fashion. Each web is drawn between a pair of associated spaced guide rollers, 3 and 4 respectively, which project laterally from an upright stand 6 secured by welding or the like to a base 7 secured in any suitable fashion to a supporting surface. After passing over guide rollers 3 and 4, the webs are brought into overlying COD-1 tacting engagement with each other and fed into a towel manufacturing machine, illustrated schematically at 8. In such machine, the paper webs are folded and cut into a continuous series of multi-ply folded towels in well known fashion.

In prior art towel making operations, difliculty has been encountered, particularly when large diameter supply rolls are employed, in maintaining corresponding edges of the two webs in alignment for the reasons ad vanced previously. The present invention corrects such problems and maintains corresponding edges aligned so that web edge trimming and waste are obviated.

As seen in FIGS. 1 through 3, the subject arrangement includes a pair of upright backstand frame structures 11 which project upwardly from and are supported by the aforementioned base 7. Each such frame structure preferably is laterally adjustable on the base. Hereinafter, reference will be directed to only one such frame structure and supply roll mounting arrangement employed therewith because preferably both frame structures and mounting arrangements employed for the two supply rolls are identical.

Each frame structure 11 is laterally movable relative to base 7 so as to be adjustable thereon. For this purpose, a pair of spaced generally U-shaped mounting members 12 are welded or otherwise secured in spaced relationship transversely across the base. Such members define elongated grooves 13 as seen in FIG. 2. It is in tion of adjustment chosen. 7 provides for fine adjustment of the supply roll mounting such grooves 13 that spaced rails 14 secured by bolts 16 or other suitable means to the bottom of frame 11, are slidably received. In this manner, the upright frame of each supply roll backstand frame structure is slidably adjustable relative to the base so that the supply rolls positioned and supported 'by adjacent frame structures may be initially aligned preparatory to their paper webs being withdrawn therefrom. g V a Because of the substantial Weight of each supply roll and the diihculty .of manually adjusting the frames relative to the base mechanical or electrical means preferably is provided for this purpose. In the embodiment 'shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, such means includes an electric motor 18 and a reduction gear box 19 mounted on a base extension 29. Projecting from the gear box and operatively connected therewith to be rotated by the mo tor is an alignment adjusting screw 21 which is coupled by a coupling member 22 to the gear box 19. The end of alignment screw 21 remote from the motor is threadedly engaged through a tapped hole provided in a thrust platef23 secured to the backstand frame adjacent its bottom, as seen in FIG. 3. Accordingly, upon operation of the electric motor, the alignment screw may be selectively rotated relative to plate 23 to slidably push the frame away from or draw the frame towards the gear box as maybe desired. Any suitable control for operation of the motor may be conveniently located adjacent to the towel machine so as to be accessible to an operator.

The subject supporting roll mounting arrangement is provided adjacent the upper end of the frame 11 of the supply roll backstand and includes, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a hollow hub 26 projecting rearwardly from the rear facev of the frame. Through such hub extends a chuck supporting shaft 27 which projects in cantilever fashion from the front surface of the frame on which the supply roll is to be supported. Adjacent one of its ends 28shaft 27 is internally bored and tapped as at 29 andan adjusting screw 39 is threadedly engaged'there.

with. Screw 3t is provided with an enlarged handle 3l l maintaining shaft27 in a given predetermined location of adjustment in hub 26 as will be. described.- Screw 30 is maintained rotatably engaged through thrust plate 32 by a pair of thrust collar nuts 34- threadedly engaged with screw 30 on opposite sides of the thrust plate 32. Cotter pins 34' extend through collars 34 and screw 30 to maintain the collars non-rotatably engaged with the screw. By rotating adjusting screw 3% in plate 32, the supporting shaft 27 will be slidably moved longitudinally in a predetermined direction in the hub 26 so that the opposite end 36 of the shaft may be positioned farther away from the front face of frame 11, or closer thereto, as may be desired. Upon location of the shaft in a predetermined desired position of adjustment, set screw 33 is threaded against the periphery of the shaft so that the shaftis positively maintained in the predetermined posi- Thus, adjusting screw 39 mechanism.

At its outer or free end 36, shaft 27 is provided with a reduced bearing mounting extremity 37 which provides 'a peripheral shoulder 33 against which a bearing assem- The exacttype of bearing assembly chosen for the roll 7 supporting function may 'vary so long as the assembly' the hollow cylindrical chuck 42 engaged therewith in surrounding relationship to the free end 36 of the shaft. In the embodiment shown, bearing assembly 39 includes curved bearing race surfaces so that the outer bearing ring on which chuck 42 is mounted is movable relative to. the inner bearing ring.

Chuck 42 includes a first internal peripheral shoulder 43 against which the bearing assembly outer ring is engaged and a second internal peripheral shoulder 44 against which a bearing assembly retaining ring 45 is positioned in the chuck.' 42 is provided with a chuck ring 47 secured thereto for limiting relative angular movement between thechuck and the supporting shaft 27. It should be understood that with the bearing arrangement shown, the chuck is operatively united with the supporting shaft but is both angularly and rotatably movable relative to the shaft.

As seen in FIG. 5, chuck 42 is provided with a smooth substantially right circular cylindrical outer surface and a tapered outer end 48- which facilitates slidaole insertion of a paper supply roll thereover. The paper supply roll 1 is provided with a hollow cylindrical central core 51 about which the paper web is wound in well known fashion. Such core may be of sturdy paperboard, metal,

or'other material well known'for this purpose. The inner V As mentionedpreviously, misalignment of correspond ing edges of two paper webs withdrawn from adjacent supply rolls may be traced to faulty cores in the supply rolls. That is, if the axis of a core is askew or ofi-center .(i.e., not normal to) relative to a central radial plane 52 passing through the paper supply roll between its opposite substantimly planar surfaces 53 and 54 as seen in PEG. 4, the roll will wobble in alternate directions as the same rotates during web withdrawal if the roll is mounted on a conventional supporting shaft. Such wobbling're sults in the edge of the withdrawn paper web oscillating laterally relative to a reference plane.

The mounting mechanism of the subject mounting arrangement precludes such wobbling by compensatingfor any such askew or fault 1 cores and is effective to main- 1 tain the edge of the withdrawn web in proper and continuous alignment with a reference plane so that such edge may be properly aligned relative to a corresponding edge the supply roll'into proper operative location against such stop means. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, such releasable pressure means includes a clevis 55' secured by a .bolt56 in a threaded bore in the reduced extremity 37 of the supporting shaft 27. It is such bolt and clevis structure56, 55 that also maintains aforementioned bearing plate 41 in place as seen in FIG. 4. 1 V

A book member 57 is provided for engagement over the transverse clevis pin 58 as seen in PEG. 4. Hook member 57 slidably passes through an aperture in an enlarged thrust plate 59 which is to be engaged with the .outer surface 54 of supply roll 1 in the mannershowu in FIGS. 3 and 4. A stud 6t projects from an end of the hook member 63 is positioned in such collar. One end of spring 63 is engaged with a ball thrust bearing 63 interposed between the outer surface of the thrust plate 59 and the spring. Bearings 63' permits plate 59 to rotate'with the supply roll while-the remainder of the pressure means remains'stationary.

As best seen in FIG. 4, a nut member 64 having lateral pin projections 65 (see FIG. is employed to threadedly engage the handle 61 with the stud 60. Such handle 61 is provided with an eccentric camming section 66 by means of which the thrust collar 62 may be forced toward the thrust plate 59 and bearing'63' against the urging of coil spring 63 to compress such spring. Separation of the thrust plate 59 from the hook member 57 over the hooked end thereof is precluded by an enlarged shoulder 67 provided adjacent the hooked end.

When it is desired to secure a supply roll 1 on the chuck 42, hook member 57 is engaged with the clevis pin 58, by compressing spring 63, when the handle 61 is positioned generally as shown in FIG. 5. Thereafter, the handle is pivoted downwardly from the position in FIG. 5 to the position in FIG. 4 to draw the hook member outwardly against the urging of spring 63 to firmly clamp the plate 59 against the outer surface 54 of the supply roll. In this way, the spring maintains constant pressure on the supply roll through thrust bearing 63 without interfering with rotation of the supply roll and plate 59 therewith.

Provided in engagement with the other surface 53 of the supply roll is a thrust spacer plate member 71 which is provided with an enlarged dished plate section 72 which defines an internal recess 73 intended to accommodate one end 74 of the core 51 ofthe paper roll should such core be unusually long, as shown in exaggereated fashion in FIG. 4. A bearing assembly 76 preferably is interposed between shaft 27 and a cylindrical portion 77 of member 71 so that such member may rotate freely with the supply roll as the web is withdrawn relative to fixed supporting shaft 27. Desirably, a spacer ring 79 is interposed between the front face of the backstand frame 11 and spacer plate 71.

When a supply roll is operatively mounted on the chuck 42, such roll is located thereon with the bearing assembly 39 preferably located substantially centrally of or midway between the opposite generally flat surfaces 53 and 54 of the roll as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this way the roll is balanced on the bearing assembly for the purpose de scribed. That is, the central radial plane 52 of the roll preferably is aligned with the longitudinal center of the bearing assembly. However, any off-center unbalance of supply roll weight will be compensated for by pressure applied by the spring 63 of the releasable pressure means.

To effect any adjustment of the bearing assembly re' quired to compensate for supply roll widths of varied dimensions, or to bring the supply roll center plane and bearing assembly more into alignment, the fine adjusting screw 30 may be employed.

To preclude wobbling of the supply roll, should the same tend to do so during rotation, stop means are provided on the backstand frame. Such stop means include a series of rotatable guide rollers 85 which extend generally radially from the axis of shaft 27 in the manner seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each guide roller is rotatably mounted on a shaft 86 which in turn is secured at its opposite ends by studs 87 to the frame 11 or to a radial bracket extension 88 which forms part of the frame. The function of such guide rollers is to collectively provide a limiting plane or surface against which surface 53 of the supply roll is held engaged by the releasable pressure means mentioned previously. When the reference planes defined by the guide rollers of adjacent mounting arrangements are properly aligned corresponding edges of the two paper webs similarly will be aligned and maintained so by the mechanism described.

In the embodiment shown, each supply roll is not mechanically driven when the web is withdrawn therefrom, but each supply roll rotates freely as the Web is drawn off about the axis of the shaft 27 on bearing assembly 39. As each roll rotates, any tendency for the roll to Wobble is compensated for by the floating mounting mechanism described. That is, because the chuck 42 is angularly movable relative to shaft 27, any tendency of the roll to wobble is overcome internally by the chuck moving relative to the shaft. As a result, the surface 53 of the supply roll is maintained against the guide rollers so that the roll rotates without wobbling. Thus, the web edge does not move laterally relative to the reference plane defined by the rollers.

When the paper machine 8 into which the paper webs are fed is stopped, it is desirable to rapidly halt rotation of each supply roll so that unnecessary web removal or overrunning due to inertia will not be effected. For this purpose, a friction brake structure 90 is provided on each backstand frame 11 which includes a brake member 91 hingedly mounted on a bracket 92 bolted to the frame 11 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Brake member 91 is of elongated construction and extends across substantially the full radius length of the paper roll as seen in FIG. 2. Normally brake member 91 is free of contact with the side surface 53 of the paper roll (see FIG 3) but is pivotal into contact with such surface for frictionally precluding roll rotation when desired. Preferably, a conventional hydraulic cylinder 93 is mounted on a platform 94 bolted to the frame. Cylinder 93 is operatively connected through a linkage structure to brake member 91 and is provided for pivotally actuating and moving the brake member selectively into and out of contact with side surface 53 of the paper roll. To this end, cylinder 93 is connected to a suitable fluid supply by a supply line 95 shown schematically in FIGS. 2 and 3. Introduction of fluid into cylinder 93 effects movement of a fluid responsive piston positioned therein in well known manner. From the upper end of cylinder 93 projects a piston rod 96 pivotally connected with a link 97 which in turn is connected to brake 91. Link 97 extends through an aperture provided in frame 11 and is movable relative to the frame. Upon actuation of the piston in the cylinder so that the piston rod 96 is extended, link 97 will be moved to the right as viewed in FIG. 3, thereby pivotally urging the brake member 91 about its hinged connection with bracket 92 to the right into positive frictional engagement with the surface 53 of the supply roll. Such engagement frictionally stops the supply roll promptly to prevent web overrunning.

Upon retraction of the piston rod 96, brake member 91 is retracted from engagement with the supply roll and subsequent web withdrawal may be effected.

The brake piston may be actuated in well known fashion merely by the machine operator pressing a button conveniently located for access by the operator.

Having made a full disclosure of this invention, reference is directed to the appended claims for the scope to be afforded thereto. It should be understood, however, that modifications to the preferred embodiment disclosed herein which may become apparent to one skilled in the art after reference has been taken to this specification are contemplated as being included in such scope.

I claim:

1. In combination, a pair of heavy, large diameter sheet material supply rolls, and structure rotatably mounting said rolls adjacent each other so that webs ofsaid material may be withdrawn from said rolls with corresponding edges of said webs in alignment with each other as said webs pass into a processing machine; said mounting structure including a mounting arrangement for at least one of said rolls which compensates for any tendency of such one roll to wobble as the same rotates whereby said corresponding edges of said Webs may be maintained in substantial alignment with each other; said mounting arrangement comprising a supporting frame, a roll supporting shaft projecting from said frame, a bearing assembly mounted adjacent an end of said shaft, a cylindrical chuck positioned on said bearing assembly and surrounding said shaft for rotation and limited angular movement relative thereto, said one roll being mounted on said chuck with said bearing assembly losnaasea .cated substantially centrally between opposite side surfaces of said supply roll, means on said frame engaged with a sidesurface of said one 'roll limiting wobble movement of such roll during rotation thereof, and releasable pressure means engaged with the other side surface of said one roll and operatively connected with Said'endof said supportingshaft for retaining said one means on said frame selectively engageable'with said one roll for halting rotation of such roll. 7

5. The combination of claim 1 in which said mounting structure includes said mounting arrangement being duplicated to mount each of said rolls.

6. A mounting arrangement for a large diameter, heavy supply roll of sheet material which has opposite side surfaces, said supply roll comprising a sheet Web wound upon a tubular core, said mounting' arrangement comprising a supporting frame, guide means on said frame engageable with one side surface of said roll for limiting lateral movement-thereof during roll rotation, a roll supporting shaft projecting from said frame, a chuck surrounding said shaft to be positioned in the core of said V supply roll, a single bearing assembly interposed between said shaft and said chuck, said bearing assembly being mounted adjacent an end of said supporting shaft and being locatable substantially centrally between said pposite roll'side surfaces when said roll is mounted on said chuck for rotation so that relative angular movement is permitted between said shaft and said chuck, and releasable pressure means engageable with the other side surface of said roll and operatively connected with said end of said supporting shaft for urging said roll against said guide means on said frame.

'7. The mounting arrangementof claim 6 in which said guide means comprises a series of aligned rotatable rollers.

8. In combination, a large diameter, heavy supply roll of sheet material comprising a sheet web wound upon a tubular core, said roll having opposite side surfaces, and a mounting arrangement-for said supply roll, said mounting arrangement comprising a supporting frame, guide means on said frame engaged with one side surface of said roll and limiting lateral movement thereof during roll rotation, a roll supporting shaft projecting from said frame, a chuck surrounding said shaft positioned in the core of said supply roll, a single bearing assembly interposed between said shaft and said chuck, said bearing assembly being mounted adjacent an end of said supporting shaft and positioned substantially centrally between said opposite roll side surfaces so that relative angular movement'is permitted between said shaft and said'chuck during rotation of said roll, and releasable pressure meansengaged with the other side surface of said roll and operatively connected with said end of said tive to said guide means for accommodating rolls'of vary-.

ing sizes.

ing frame, guide means on said frame engageable with a 7 side surface of said roll for limiting lateral movement of said roll during rotation thereof, a roll supporting shaft projecting from said frame, a chuck surrounding an end of said shaft to be positioned in the core of said supply roll, a single bearing assembly interposed between said shaft and said chuck permitting relative angular and rotary movement therebetween, and releasable pressure means disengageably connected with said shaft and engageable with an opposite side surface of said supply roll for maintaining said roll on said chuck and for holding the same in engagement with said guide means on said frame; said pressure means including clevis structure projecting from said shaft end, a hook member engaged with said clevis structure, handle structure engaged with said hook member, athrust plate engageable with said. op posite roll side surface and urged by said handle structure toward said clevis structure, and means between said handle structure and said thrust plate permitting relative rotation therebetween. I

12. The mechanism of claim 11 in which said handle structure includes an eccentric camming section for urging said thrust plate toward said clevisi structure.

13. A mounting arrangement for a large diameter, heavy supply roll of sheet material, such as paper, which has opposite generally planar side surfaces, said supply roll comprising a sheet web wound upon a tubular'core;

said mounting arrangement comprising a supporting frame, guide means mounted on said frame defining a rigid reference plane against which one generally planar side surface of said supply roll is engageable for limiting lateral movement of said roll during rotation thereof, a roll supporting shaft projecting from said frame and extending outwardly beyond said guide means, a single bearing assembly mounted on saidshaft'adjacent the end thereof, said bearing assembly being interposed between the core of said roll and said supporting shaft and mounting said roll for rotation about the axis of said shaft, said bearing assembly being locatable substantially centrally between said opposite roll side surfaces when said roll is mounted on said shaft for rotation and permitting relative angular movement between said shaft and said roll during roll rotation, and releasable pressure means engageable with the other generally planar side surface of said roll operatively connected with said supporting shaft for hold ing said one roll side surface against said guide means on said frame to limit lateral movement of said roll during roll rotation, any tendency of said roll to wobble during rotation thereof being overcome internally of said roll by said bearing assembly permitting angular movement between said shaft and said roll while said one roll side surface is held engaged with said guide means by said.

pressure means.

14. The mounting arrangement ofi claim 13 in which said guide means comprises a series of aligned rotatable 

6. A MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A LARGE DIAMETER, HEAVY SUPPLY ROLL OF SHEET MATERIAL WHICH HAS OPPOSITE SIDE SURFACES, SAID SUPPLY ROLL COMPRISING A SHEET WEB WOUND UPON A TUBULAR CORE, SAID MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING A SUPPORTING FRAME, GUIDE MEANS ON SAID FRAME ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE SIDE SURFACE OF SAID ROLL FOR LIMITING LATERAL MOVEMENT THEREOF DURING ROLL ROTATION, A ROLL SUPPORTING SHAFT PROJECTING FROM SAID FRAME, A CHUCK SURROUNDING SAID SHAFT TO BE POSITIONED IN THE CORE OF SAID SUPPLY ROLL, A SINGLE BEARING ASSEMBLY INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID SHAFT AND SAID CHUCK, SAID BEARING ASSEMBLY BEING MOUNTED ADJACENT AN END OF SAID SUPPORTING SHAFT AND BEING LOCATABLE SUBSTANTIALLY CENTRALLY BETWEEN SAID OPPOSITE ROLL SIDE SURFACES WHEN SAID ROLL IS MOUNTED ON SAID CHUCK FOR ROTATION SO THAT RELATIVE ANGULAR MOVEMENT IS PERMITTED BETWEEN SAID SHAFT AND SAID CHUCK, AND RELEASABLE PRESSURE MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH THE OTHER SIDE SURFACE OF SAID ROLL AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID END OF SAID SUPPORTING SHAFT FOR URGING SAID ROLL AGAINST SAID GUIDE MEANS ON SAID FRAME. 